Lock for electric switches



Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

Inventor:

.Robert G. W hz'tlocic,

Attorney.

ROBERT G. 'WI- IITLOCK, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

LOCK FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

Application filed December 29, 1916. Serial No. 139,443.

i means for locking electric switches, and the objects of my improvement are, first, to provide a device of this nature that is adapted to be applied to any ordinary switch of the kind described, without making alterations or changes therein; second, to make it impossible to operate the switch when the device is in locked position; and, third, to effectually prevent the removal of the device when locked. 7

I attain these objects by means of the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing, showing one specific form of my inventlon that is adapted for locking the ig-' nition switch of an automobile englne, and in which Figure l is an isometrieview of the complete device; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross section through the center; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the part 16; and Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the part 8.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. In the form of my invention selected for illustrative purposes, a portion of the instrument board of an automobile is shown at 1. An ignition switch, of the button type, is shown mounted upon board 1, and provided with cover plate 2 and operating button 3. The latter is attached to the rod 4! and is adapted to operate the switch proper, which is located behind board 1, and is not shown in the drawing.

My invention comprises a plate 5 provided, at the bottom, with a hinged member 6 which is adapted to be secured to the instrument board by means of two countersunk bolts inserted from the front. One of these bolts is shown at 7. The member 8 is similarly attached to the instrument board by means of two counter-sunk bolts, one of which is shown at 9, and is provided with an outwardly projecting lug 10 having a central hole 11 through it. The plate 5 is provided, at its upper end, with an elongated slot 12, through which lug 10 passes when the device is in looking position. The shackle .13 of padlock 14 passes through hole 11 to lock the device.

The plate 5 is formed, near its center, with a cup-shaped depression 15, shown in the drawing as elliptical in cross section. This is for the purpose of providing an inclosed space for the outwardly projecting button 3. It will be seen that, by making this cupshaped depression of suitable size and form, two or more switch buttons may thus be inclosed if desired.

An essential feature of my invention is the manner in which members 6 and 8 are secured to the instrument board. For this purpose the channel shaped pieces 16 are.

provided. These channels each have two holes 17 through which the bolts and the bolts 9 are passed. The square nuts 18 serve to tighten these bolts in place against the inner surfaces of the channel webs, and the projecting flanges 19 serve to keep these nuts from turning. It is obvious therefore, that the bolts can only be tightened or loosened from the front when the dev1ce is in open position, and that it would be impossible to remove the nuts 18- from the rear, since the flanges 19 prevent their being turned. This construction effectually prevents the device from being tampered with, or removed, when it is in locked position.

When it is desired to operate the button 3,

I the plate 5 is swung outwardly andelownwardly into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. I

The form of construction shown in the drawing is particularly adapted. to the protection of automobile switches and, when properly used, will prevent the car from being stolen, or used by unauthorized per-- sons, since it cannot be started without operating the ignition switch which is protected by my invention. I wish it .to be understood, however, that I do not limit myself to this particular use, and my device is adapted to many other uses with, or without, modification of the form herein illustrated. All such uses and modifications of form are comprehended within the scope of my invention.

I claim 2.

1. The combination of a board, a switch 1.

operating means thereon, a pair of plates on the outer-face of said board disposed on opposite sides of said switch operating means, fastening means extendin through and eng g g said plates an passing.

through said board, from the front thereof, means on the back of said board for holding said fastening means against removal releasable from the front of said plates, a cover leaf hinged on one of the plates, and a keeper on the other plate, said cover leaf adapted to extend over the switch operating means and to be engaged by said keeper and when so engaged to cover the plate fastening means against detachment.

2. The combination of a board, a switch operating means thereon, a pair of plates on the outer-face of said board disposed on opposite sides of said switch operating means, fastening means extending through and engaging said plates and passing through said board from the front thereof, means on the back of said board for holding said fastening means against removal releasable from the front of said plate, a cover leaf hinged on one of the plates, a keeper on the other plate, said cover leaf adapted to extend over the switch operating means and to be engaged by said keeper and whenso engaged to cover the plate fastening means against detachment, and means for locking said cover leaf in engagement with said keeper.

3. A switch lock comprising the combi nation of a board, a switch operating means thereon, a pair of spaced channels on the rear face of said board, nuts held in said channels against turning, a pair of plates on the outer face of said board opposite said channels and arranged on opposite sides of the switch operating means, bolts passing through said plates and board and screwed into said nuts from'the outer face of said board, and means hinged on one of said plates for covering the switch operating means and engageable. with the other plate adapted when so engaged to conceal the heads of said bolts.

4. A switch lock, comprising the combination with a board and switch operating means thereon, a pair of spaced channel members on the back of said board, a pair of nuts held against rotation in each of said channel members, a pair of plate members on the front of said board opposite said channel members, and on opposite sides of the switch operating means, a pair of screws I passing. through each of said plates and channel members, and screwed into the nuts in the latter, heads on said screws engaging the plates whereby the latter are secured to the board, a lug on one of said plates and a cover leaf hinged on the other plate adapted to extend over the switch operating means to engage the lug and when so positioned to conceal the heads of the screws.

ROBERT G. WHITLOCK. Witness:

C. C. A. KIRKLAND. 

